By VDC staff

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday no charges will be filed against St. Johnsbury Police Captain Jason Gray for his role in a December 13, 2024, officer-involved shooting. Attorney General Charity Clark and Windham County State’s Attorney Steven Brown, acting as conflict counsel, both declined prosecution after independent reviews of the Vermont State Police investigation.

Investigators concluded Gray reasonably believed he was in imminent danger and was justified in using deadly force under Vermont law. Mason has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and related crimes. He remains presumed innocent.

The incident occurred while Gray and Officer Jasmine Hendry were investigating a domestic assault. Inside a multi-unit residence. 

The AG said that once inside the building, Captain Gray began walking up a flight of stairs, followed by Officer Jasmine Hendry, when he encountered a woman who was the reported domestic assault victim. While standing just feet away from Captain Gray, the woman pointed down a hallway which Captain Gray turned towards. Seconds later, a gunshot sounded, and a round of pellet shot hit Captain Gray. Officer Hendry ran back down the stairs, and the woman ran out of the hallway.

Captain Gray then retreated behind a doorframe, drew his firearm, and peered down the hallway to locate the shooter when a second round of pellet shot hit Captain Gray.

During this second round of pellet shots, Captain Gray discharged one bullet from his firearm in the direction of the shooter, but it did not strike the shooter or any other person.

Captain Gray then collapsed from his pellet shot injuries. While on the floor, Captain Gray saw Scott Mason, who was carrying a shotgun. Scott Mason approached Captain Gray and yelled, “get the [expletive] out,” before fleeing the house through a second-floor window.

Homeless woman assaults cops, hospital worker – A 28-year-old transient woman is facing multiple felonies after police say she assaulted officers and a hospital worker during a Sept. 17 disturbance outside 100 State Street in Montpelier. City police reported that Ruth Flint kicked two officers while they attempted to assist her, violating conditions of release that barred violent behavior. Flint was later transported to Central Vermont Medical Center for a self-inflicted head injury, where she allegedly spat on a contracted hospital employee. She was charged with three felony counts of assaulting a protected professional, two misdemeanors for violating conditions of release, and one misdemeanor for disorderly conduct. She was lodged at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and ordered to appear in Washington County Superior Court on Sept. 18.

Ejected from bar, spike strips employed – Police say a slow-moving pursuit ended with the arrest of Eric Swiech, 54, of Northfield, on Sept. 18 after he was ejected from Sam’s Listening Bar and refused to leave. Swiech allegedly gestured at officers, ignored commands to stop, nearly struck a cruiser, and led police through several town streets before spike strips disabled his vehicle. He was charged with attempting to elude and lewd and lascivious conduct.

$5,000 bail for release violation, suspended license – On the same day, state police in St. Johnsbury arrested Robert Cennami, 42, of Whitefield, N.H., during a traffic stop. Cennami was found to be driving with a suspended license and violating two conditions of release. He was held on $5,000 bail at Northeast Correctional Complex.

Home improvement fraud — Vermont State Police cited Joshua Morgan, 38, of West Rutland, for home improvement fraud in Weston after a resident reported paying him for repairs that were never completed. Morgan is due in Windsor County Superior Court on Oct. 28.

SO registry failure to comply — Troopers located Jonathan Johnson, 42, on Sept. 18 and arrested him on a warrant for driving with a suspended license. Johnson was also cited for failing to comply with the Vermont Sex Offender Registry. He was held on $200 bail at Northwest State Correctional Facility and ordered to appear in Franklin County Superior Court on Sept. 19, with a second court date set for Oct. 28.